Is an NHL team better off with a young cornerstone defenseman or young premium scorer?

That question will receive air time this season as Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones and Halifax center Nathan MacKinnon vie to be the No. 1 draft pick at 2013 NHL draft in New Jersey.

Canadian MacKinnon (5-11, 180) is probably the favorite because of his dazzling offensive skill. He boasts explosive speed, and he can score in a variety of different ways.

But the American Jones, a 6-3 all-around defender, has his share supporters who believe he could anchor an NHL defense for many years.

Jones, the son of former NBA power forward Popeye Jones, is trying to become only the second defenseman -- joining Eric Johnson (2006) -- over the past 16 years to be drafted No. 1 overall.

If Jones goes No. 1, he would be the third American to be picked first in the past eight years, joining Johnson and Patrick Kane (2007), who went first overall in back-to-back drafts.

Here are the other players on USA TODAY's preseason list of top-ranked American-born players:

2. Center J.T. Compher, 6-0, 180, U.S. National Team Development Program, United States Hockey League: He's committed to the University of Michigan. "He's a high octane player all over the ice," said USA Hockey's assistant executive director Jim Johannson. "He plays the full 200 feet of the ice."

3. Right wing Adam Erne, 6-1, 205, Quebec, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League: He was one of the best forwards at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament. Projects to be a power forward. Good scoring touch.

4. Defenseman Ian McCoshen, 6-2, 210, Waterloo (Iowa), USHL: He had eight goals and 20 points in 55 games last season, and he has a strong presence on the blue line. He hasn't decided where he will play after this season.

5. Right wing Ryan Hartman, 5-11, 190, Plymouth (Mich.) Whalers, Ontario Hockey League: He's a feisty, prickly competitor who spent the last two seasons playing for U.S. NTDP. Last year, he had 16 goals, 41 points and 136 penalty minutes. His father played college soccer at South Carolina. "If Hartman was two inches taller, we'd call him Bill Guerin," said NHL Network analyst Craig Button.

6. Right wing Justin Bailey, 6-4, 185, Kitchener, OHL: He is considered a bit of a project, a big kid with a bucket of raw talent. He was coached last season on the Long Island Midget Royals by former NHL star Pat LaFontaine.

7. Right wing Hudson Fasching, 6-3, 195, US. NTDP: He had seven goals, and 21 points in 37 games last season. He is committed to playing at the University of Minnesota. "He's blossoming," Johannson said. "He's a horse, and he's got a little edge to his game."

9. Defenseman Michael Downing, 6-3, 185, Dubuque (Iowa), USHL: He's committed to the University of Michigan. He has plenty of tools to work with. He had four goals and 15 points last season.

10. Center Luke Johnson, 5-11, 175, Lincoln (Neb.), USHL: He posted 20 goals and 55 points in 55 games at Lincoln, and he's going to play college hockey at North Dakota where his father Steve was a standout. "Luke is a very smart player," Johannson said.